Restaurant News
Chic, modern and a friendly ambience would best describe a patron’s first impression after walking into Vintner Grill, located at 10100 West Charleston in Summerlin. The large lounge area beckons welcome with helpful hostesses and cushy furniture. The lounge also features a large bar area with ample high top tables and seating at its nicely appointed long bar. For those not wanting to wait for a table in the dining room on a busy night, the lounge/bar area has full service and makes for a nice place to dine, especially if you come in as a single person. Guests can also sit at the Chef’s table – a great communal spot. Just ask the hostess in case it is reserved.
Beyond the bar area, and so somewhat insulated from the conversations going on there, the dining room continues this feeling of casual elegance with rich furnishings and by generously spacing tables apart from another. Vintner’s Grill also has an attractive patio area for alfresco dining, made more interesting by two large cabanas that allow for dining intimacy.
As for the wine situation, the Aroma currently does not have a formal wine list. It has a small selection of wines, highlighted by a Sangiovese which sells for only $14.00 a bottle. It’s a simple wine that seems pair well with most of the served foods. For the more serious wine drinkers, the restaurant welcomes carry-in bottles and charges only $15.00 as a corkage fee. I would suggest bringing a nice bottle of Chianti and enjoying it with the well-prepared food this nice little restaurant has to offer. It can make for a fun and inexpensive way to begin an evening.
Aroma Italiano Ristorante...
Vintner Grill...
The bar area as it leads into the main dining room at Vintner Grill...
The main dining room...
The executive chef, Matthew Silverman, describes his cooking as “Contemporary American with Mediterranean influences, especially from Spain, France and Italy.” I’m not exactly sure what that means, but the results prove impressive when sampling some of the fare chef Silverman creates. I have dined at Vintner Grill on several occasions, and have always found the food excellent. My personal favorites include the gnocchi, steaks and osso bucco. The website deems the latter dish as one of the house specialties.
If you try it you will like it...
The outdoor patio area...
The menu changes regularly, depending on the availability of fresh meats, fish and produce, but the current menu, as of late February, lists the osso bucco, rack of lamb, halibut, lobster cannelloni, seared scallops, crab ravioli, pan roasted salmon, prime beef tenderloin, and bone in ribeye as some of the entrees. Entrees generally run between $25.00 to $40.00, and include paired side dishes with each order. The VG, as it is known, also provides a formidable list of appetizers to select from, including several interesting flatbread options. One could easily concoct a full meal from the many choices of appetizers. Guests may also find the large cheese selection of interest as it is the largest in the city. The cheese menu is included with each menu and is organized in an easy to understand format and allows for lots of pairing.
Steamed clams, chicken Parmesan, Caprese salad and seafood Fra Diavolo...
The menu includes most Italian favorites, with the exception of pizza, and some unique specialties of the house. The pasta list includes spaghetti, ravioli, fettuccini, tortellini, penne, gnocchi, linguini and parpadelle, all for less than $15.00. Some of the house favorites, other than pasta, include seafood Fra Diavolo (a personal favorite), cioppino Italian seafood stew, chicken Parmigiana, veal Picata and veal Milanese. These entrees range in price from $18.00 to $24.00. The menu also has a nice selection of tasty starter dishes, such as bruschetta, fried calamari, caprese salad, eggplant Parmesan, and steamed clams. These cost between $6.00-9.00. Servings are tasty and generous.
Sometimes you find a little under-the radar eatery with great food, nice ambience and reasonable prices. Aroma Italiano Ristorante fills that bill nicely. You will find this little gem on the ground floor of the eye catching building located at 5875 South Rainbow, Las Vegas, just south of the intersection with Russell Road. The building resembles a modern version of a stereotypical Greek temple, with stark white exterior and faux columns around its base. You cannot miss it.
Once inside, patrons will find themselves in an informal but pleasantly decorated dining room, with ample seating in large booths or tables. In warmer weather, guests may opt for alfresco dining reminiscent of a Tuscan estate’s patio, complete with a bubbling fountain.
As the name of the restaurant would imply, Vintner Grill takes the subject of wine seriously. Troy Kumalaa acts as the restaurant’s sommelier, and has put together an interesting wine list of more than 100 selections from around the world. Troy is there most evenings to help the guests with their wine options as well as answering any questions they might have about food and wine pairings. He has also assembled some interesting vertical tasting selections so the diner might sample several wines without the expense of ordering a full bottle. The wine list seems to place emphasis on new world wines, especially from California. As a courtesy to wine lovers, VG allows carry-in bottles with a corkage fee of $25.00 for the service.
The establishment is a bit tricky to find. When going west on West Charleston, go pass Hualapai and turn right at the first opportunity, Indigo Drive. Proceed to the right past what seems like a row of office buildings. From there, the VG is to the right. Look for the VG signs and the restaurant’s valet. For reservation or more information, call (702) 214-5590, or check out their website at www.vglasvegas.com.
The main dining room...
The Aroma is also open for lunch, and prepares meals for take out. For reservations or more information, call the restaurant at (702)221-4893.
Dining alfresco on the patio...
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